Fabrication of Microcellular PP-MMT Nanocomposite Foams in a Sub-Critical CO 2 Process

The present paper is dedicated to fabrication of microcellular PP-MMT nanocomposite foams blown by CO₂ at 3-7 MPa pressure range. XRD and TEM studies showed that MMT particles were well exfoliated upon PP-MMT nanocomposite processing, however presence of the nanoclay particles did not facilitate the foaming process, resulting in non-uniform cell structure and low expansion ratios. SEM images demonstrate that clay nanoparticles have not improved the foam morphology; and no nucleation effect of the clay was observed in the produced foams. These data were supported by DSC studies.